Apparatus for centrifugal separation



Feb., 5, 1929.

1,700,928 C. E. FAWKES APTARATUS FOR CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATION Filed Aug.25. 1922 v 4 Smets-sheet 2 fao Feb. 5,' 1929. f 1,700,928

C. E. FAWKES APPARATUS FOR CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATION L Filed Aug. 25,- 19224 sheets-sheet 5 l5 l@ m7 95 l 9g /76 f i 7/5 7 Z if `103 L Fens, 1929.f Y 1,700,928

C. E. FAWKES APPARATUS FOR CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATION Filed Aug. 25. 1922 4sheets-sheet 4 Patented F eb. 5, '1929.

U t E S 'lf 'FES (mantas n. rawxns, or CHICAGO, rLLrNoIs.

APLDARTUS CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATION.

application med. august as, ieee. serial no. 584,200.

rlhis invention relates to a new process and apparatus for separatinggases and liquids by centrifugal force. The invention is particularlyadapted for use in the extraction of oxygen from the air but it may beemployed for the continuous separation of the components of variousgases and vapors, for the mechanical separation of miscible liquids, or

4 the separation of the discontinuous phase from the continuous phase inemulsions, suspensions and dispersoids in general. The invention may beused with particular advantage in the separation of the components ofHuids having relatively high molecular or ionic velocities.

An important object of the invention is to provide means for separatingin a convenient and inexpensive manner the oxygen from the otheringredients of the atmosphere, thus making possible the production of alarge and cheap supply of oxygen for use in connection with furnaces andother apparatus. The invention is distinguished by the fact that thecomponents of the fluid which are to be separated are subjected toseveral successive centrifugal separations in a single unit machine sothat the purity ofeach of the components separated may e increased toany desired extent by multiplying the number of stages of separation.The various objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the succeeding description.

The nature of the invention will be understood from the followingspecification taken with the accompanying drawings in which oneembodiment of the apparatus for carrying out the improved process isillustrated.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 shows a somewhat diagrammatic vertical section through apparatusembodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows an external side elevation oi apparatus embodying theinvention;

Fig. 3 shows a vertical axial section through the apparatus illustratedin Fig. 2,

the section being taken on the line 3-3 of- Fig. 1 shows a horizontalsection taken on the line 4.--4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 shows a plan view of one of the stationary sections of thecentrifugal separator;

Fig. 6 shows a side elevation of thesection illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 shows a bottom plan view of` the section illustrated in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 shows a plan view of one of the annular perforated shells formingthe outer wall of each separating chamber;

Fig. 9 shows a side elevation 0f the annular perforated shellillustrated in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 shows a plan View of the preferred form for gases and vapors ofthe rotating disc Alocated in each separating chamber; and

Fig. 11 shows a sectional view on the line 11'-11 of Fig. 10.

In the kaccompanying drawings the invention is illustrated as embodiedin apparatus comprising a plurality of separating chambers which arearranged in series vertically, the heavier component of the iuid beingtreated being drawn ofl at the bottom of the apparatus while the lightercomponents are drawn off at the top, and to facilitate a clearexplanation of the theory of the process and apparatus, beforediscussing the details of construction of the apparatus, there has beenillustrated in Fig. 1 a diagrammatic representation of a form ofapparatus 15 comprising live separating chambers 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20.Each chamber has mounted therein a rotatable disc 21 provided on each ofits opposite sides with an annular concave depression 22 correspondingto the similar convex projections 23 which are formed centrally in theupper and lower walls ofthe separating chambers around the driving shaft25. The

Aouter portions of the upper and lower walls of the separating chambersextend at right angles to the surfaces of the shells 32, hereinafterdescribed. The discs 21 thus divide the separating chambers intocomplementary chambers 24 which are annular in form, and oblong in crosssection. The discs 21 are mounted on a common shaft 25 which extendsvertically and which is adapted to be driven at high speed by anysuitable source of power. The chambers 16, 17, 18, 19 and 2O communicatearound their outer peripheries with annular collecting chambers 26, 27,28, 29 and 30, respectively, thecommunication withthese chambers beingestablished through perforations 31 formed in annular shells orcylinders 32. As the discs 21 are rotated, the motion imparted to thecomplex ud in the several separating chambers results 1n the heaviercomponents of the fluid being thrown outwardly into the collectionchambers while the lighter components occupy the inner ortions of theseparating chambers rfrom w ich they may bewithdrawn by the meanshereinafter described.

Assuming that the apparatus represented in Fig. 1 is employed accordingto the process of the present invention to separate oxygen from theatmosphere, the air is supplied under pressure through a pipe 35. Thispipe is provided with branches 36 and 37 which lead into opposite sidesof the central separating chamber 18 in the region of medium centrifugalforce, as shown at 38. The air thus introduced into the chamber 18 issubjected to the action of the rapidly rotating disc 21 mounted in that.chamber with the result that the heavier component, higher in oxygen, isthrown outwardly by centrifugal force and passes through the apertures31 into the collection chamber 28. From this collecting chamber theoxygen component passes through a pipe 39 through the branch pipes 40and 41 which lead into opposite sides of the next lower separatingchamber 17 in the region of medium centrifugal pressure, as shown at 42.The lighter components of the air separated in the chamber 18, occupyingpositions near the axis of the rotating disc 21, are passed oif throughbranch pipes 43 and 44, leading from the region of minimum pressure inthe chamber 18 and leading to a common pipe 45 which communicatesthrough branch pipes 46 and 47 with the vopposite sides of the nexthigher separating chamber 19 in the region of medium centrifugalpressure, as shown at 48. Thus the separated components of the airintroduced under pressure into the chamber 18 are passed afterseparation into other similar chambers of the apparatus, the heaviercomponent, higher in oxygen content, being passed downwardly into thenext lower chamber 17., while .the lighter nitrogen containing componentis passed upwardly into the next higher chamber 19.

ln the chamber 17 the heavier oxygen containing' component drawn fromthe chamber 18 is again subjected to centrifugal separation and theheavier component resulting from this new separation, containing oxygenin greater volume concentration, passes through the apertures 31 intothe annular collecting chamber 27. From this annular chamber the oxygencontaining component passes through a pipe 50 to branch pipes 51 and 52which communica-te with opposite sides of the lowermost separatingchamber 16 in'the region ofvmedium centrifugal pressure, as shown at 53.The lighter components resulting from the separation in the chamber 17pass olf from the region of low centrifugal pressure in that chamberthrough the branch pipes 54 and 55 which communicate with a pipe 56leading to an enlargement 57 formed in the branch pipe 36 through whichair is introduced to the chamber 18. In passing: through the enlargement57, the air is injected at high velocity through a Venturi nozzle sothat the nitrogen containing components passing through the pipe 56 aredrawn by suction into the'current of air passing through the pipe 36 andare thus carried from a region of relatively low pressure back into thecentral separating chamber 18 against the higher pressure which prevailstherein. Venturi nozzles of this form are made use of throughout theapparatus for conveying various separated compounds by suction intoregions of relatively higher pressure, thus making it possible toefl'ect the retreatment and rcseparation in various stages of thecomponents of the air which have previously been treated in succeedingstages of the process.

In the lowermost chamber 16 a further separation takes place resultingin the production of a heavier component containing oxygen of a stillhigher degree of concentration which is thrown outwardly and collectedin the chamber 26. From this chamber the oxygen containing component isdrawn olf through a pipe 60 by which it may be conveyed to a furnace orother apparatus in which it is to be consumed. From the region of lowpressure in the chamber 16 the lighter nitrogen containing component ofthe separated gas is drawn 0H through -branch pipes 61 and 62 which leadinto a common pipe 63 communicating with an enlargement 64 formed in thebranch pipe 40, previously described. The oxygen containing componentspassing through the pipe 4() are carried through a Venturi nozzle 65arranged opposite the outlet of the pipe 63 so that the lighter gases inthe pipe 63 are drawn by suction into the pipe 40 and carried into'thechamber 17 against its higher pressure in the region of mediumcentrifugal pressure in that chamber.

As previously stated, the lighter nitrogen containing components drawnfrom the chamber 18 are introduced through the branch pipes 46 and 47into the next higher separating chamber 19. A further centrifugalseparation takes place in the chamber 19 resulting in the oxygencontaining component being forced outwardly into the annular collectingchamber 29. From this chamber this heavier component passes downwardlythrough a pipe 67 into an enlargement 68 formed in the branch pipe 37through which air is supplied under pressure to the central chamber 18.The gas passes at high velocity through a Venturi nozzle 69 located inthe enlargement 68 so that the oxygen containing component separated inthe chamber 19 is drawn by suction into the pipe 37 and conveyed intothe chamber 18 against the higher pressure in that chamber. From theregion of low pressure in the chamber 19 the lighter nitrogen containingcomponent, separated by the action of centrifugal force, passes throughbranch pipes 70 and 71 into a pipe 72 which leads upwardly andcommunicates through branch pipes 73 and 74 With the opposite sides ofthe upp'erp most separat-ino chamber 20 in the region of mediumcentrifugal pressure in that chamber,

as shown at l. `As a result of the renewed is drawn off therefromthrough a pipe 77 which extends downwardly and communicates with anenlargement 78 formed in the branch pipe 47 previously described. AVenturi nozzle 79 is locatedin this enlargement so that the passage ofthe gases through the pipe 47 creates a suction which draws in theoxygen containing componentl conveyed through the pipe 77, resultinginthese components being carried through the pipe 47 into the chamber 19against the higher pressure in that chamber. From the region of lowpressure in the uppermost chamber 20 the lighter nitrogen containingcomponent is drawn od through branch pipes 80 and 81 leading to a commondischarge pipe 82 to which the gas, rich in nitrogen, may be dischargedinto the atmosphere or otherwise disposed of. 1n order to regulate thevolume of the various fluids transferred from one cham' ber to the other1n various parts of the system,

a series of valves 83 are provided in the connecting pipes so that theflow in any partielllar connection may be regulated independently of theother connections.

Thus the air introduced into the apparatus 15 through the pipe 35 issubjected to a series of successive centrifugal separations with theresult that oxygen of a greater or lesser degree of purity and theheavier inert atmospheric gases are discharged through the pipe 60 atthe lower part of the apparatus, while the nitrogen and other lightercomponents of the atmosphere are discharged through the pipe 82 at theupper part of the apparatus. From the outer part of each separatingchamber the heavier oxygen containing component separated in thatchamber is conveyed downwardly and introduced into the next chamberbelow in -the region of medium centrifugal pressure in that chamberwhere a new separation takes place resulting in the production of aheavier component containing oxygen of a higher degree of purity whichis again conveyed into the region of medium centrifugal pressure in thenext lower chamber. At the same time the nitrogen and other lightercomponents are carried from the region of low pressure in eachseparating chamber to the region of medium centrifugal pressure in thenext higher separating chamber. The heavier components graduallyconveyed toward the bottom of the apparatus are increased in purity asthe successive stages of the separation are performed while the gasesWithdrawn from the inner regions of the separating chambers are conveyedupwardly into the next higher separating chambers contain lesserpercentages of oxygen as the upper extremity of the apparatus isapproached so that the gases treated in the uppermost separating chamberconsist mostly of nitrogen and the other light- I er components which,after the separation of the small quantity of oxygen present, aredischarged through the outlet 82.

The form of apparatus for carrying out the process described above isillustrated more 1n detail in Figs. 2 to 11 inclusive where theapparatus is shown as comprising a supporting base 85 having acylindrical casing 86 extending'vertically therefrom. The casing 8G 1smade up of a plurality of similar sections 87 adapted to interfit witheach other, as shown particularly in Fig. 3. Each section 87 has adisc-like body portion 88 provided on opposite sides with-centralprojections 89. An annular flange 90 projects outwardlyfrom the bodyportion 88 of cach section and a cylindrical wall 91 extends upwardlyfrom the flange 90, being spaced outwardly from the body portion 88,leaving an annular recess 92. The upper-edge of the cylindrical portion91 of each section is pro` vided with an outwardly directed annularflange 93, provided on its upper side with an annular groove 94 adaptedto be engaged by the annular projection 95 formed on the under side ofthe flange 90 of the next adjacent section. The annular flanges ofadjacent sections thus have an inter-fitting engagement with each otherand, if desired, they may also be secured together by means of bolts orthe like. The body portion 88 of each section extends downwardly belowthe outwardly directed flange 90 and the annular surface of thisdownwardly projecting part is spaced inwardly from the cylindricalvportion 91 of the next lower section 87, thus leaving an annular recess96 similar to the annular recess 92 kformed on the upper side of eachsection. Mounted in the recesses 92 and 96 of the adjacent sections andengaging annular grooves 97 in the flanges 90 are a plurality ofcylindrical shell members 98 each adapted to form the outer wall of oneof the separating chambers 100 form-ed' between adjacent sections of thecasing. These wall members 98 are spaced inwardly from the inner annularsurfaces 101 of the cylindrical portions 91 of the casings, thus formingcollecting chambers 102 which communicate with the separating chambers100 by means of apertures 103 which are "formed in the members 98. Theapertures 108 are arranged in rows around the members 98, as shown inFig. 9, and are located as nearly as possible in alignment with theupper and lower peripheral edges 104 of the rotatable discs 105'. Thesediscs are mounted on a center vertical shaft 107 which is journaled inbearings formed in the central parts of the body portions 88,- in thebase 85 and in the upper'end wall 108 of the casing 86. The shaft 107projects upwardly beyond the upper end wall 108 and has a pulley 109mounted thereon through which it maybe driven by an electric motor orother suitable device.

Cil

Although the discs 105 have been illustrated in Fig. 3 as solid members,they may }neferably be formed to secure greater frictional surface7 asshown in Figs. 10 and 11, where each disc is made up of a central solidplate 110 having a series of inner rings 111 and outer rings 112 securedthereto around the huh 113. rl`hc rings 111 and 112 are graduallyincreased in diameter from the plate 110 longitudinally of the hub 113in cach direction, thus giving to the opposite sides of the rotatabledisc a stepped formation which forms annular depressions 114 adapted toprovide a large frictioual surface to contact with the complex fluid andimpart the greatest rotational velocity thereto near the apertures 103.The discs 105 thus divide the separating chambers 100 into separatecompartments each consisting of an annular' chamber of oblong crosssection. The discs 105 preferably have the same outer diameter as theouter diameter of the body portions 88 so that an annular space isformed between cach rotatable disc and the adjacent outer wall 98, aswell as between the outer annular surfaces ot' the body portions 88 andthe outer walls 98. As the discs are rotated by the shaft 107, thecontents of the separating chambers 100 are set in motion by thefrictional engagement therewith of the surface of the discs with theresult that the heavier portions pass outwardl y through the spaces 104and apertures 103 into the annular collecting chambers 102.

For the purpose of introducing the materials to be separated intotheseparating chambers 100 of the casing 86, the body portion 88 of eachsection 87 is provided with a plurality of radial passages 115 whichcommunicate at their inner ends with the chambers 100 in the region ofmedium centrifugal pressure, as shown at 116. Two series of thesepassages are formed in each body portion 88, the inner extremities ofone series of passages being directed upwardly to communicate with oneseparating chamber 100, while the inner extremities of the other seriesof passages are directed downwardly to communicate with the next lowerchamber 100. In addition to the passages 115, the body portion 88 ofeach section is provided with two series of other passages 118 whichextend radially, midway between the passages 115, as shown in Fig. 4,and having their inner extremities directed parallel to the shaft 107 tocommunicate with the inner-v most parts of the chambers 100, as shown at119. The nitrogen and other lighter portions of the air, if the machinebe used for extracting oxygen, are adapted to be withdrawn through thesepassages 118.

The several separating chambers 100 are placed in communication witheach other n through a series of pipes mounted on the outer side of thecasing, as illustrated particularly in. Fig. 2, where the arrowsindicate the direction in which the contents of the pipes flow. The airor other fluid to be separated is introduced into the apparatus underpressure through pipes 120 located midwaybetween the upper and lowerends of the casing.' Each pipe 120 communicates through branch pipes 121with the passages 115 leading to theregion of medium pressure in thccentral chamber 100. From the collecting chamber 102 around this centralchamber the heavier component of the separated fluid flows downwardlythrough pipes 122 which communicate directly with the central parts ofthe collecting chamber, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. These pipes 122 leaddownwardly and communicate with the branch pipes 123 leading to oppositesides of the next lower chamber 100 through the passages 115 whichcommunicate with the next lower chamber. The lighter components of theseparated contents of the central chamber 100 are withdrawn through thepassages 118 leading from that chamber and communicating with branchpipes 124 which lead through a pipe 125 to the' branch pipes 126, havingcommunication with the next chamber above through the passages 115formed in the walls of that chamber.

From the first chamber below the central chamber of the casing, theheavier separated component is withdrawn thro-ugh pipes 128 which leadthrough branch pipes 129 to the passages 115 communicating with thesecond chamber below. The lighter separated component in the firstchamber below the central chamber is withdrawn through pipes 130 leadingfrom the passages 118 which open from the inner part of that chamber.These pipes 130 communicate with pipes 131 which lead to the enlargedcouplings 132 which are connected in the branch pipes 121 through whichair or other iuid is supplied to the central chamber. These couplingshave Ven- -turi nozzles mounted therein in the manner previouslydescribed so that the flow of fluid through the pipes 121 creates asuction which draws in the contents of the pipes 131 and dischargesthese contents back into the central chamber 100.

In a similar manner, the heavier separated component of. the contents ofthe second chamber below the central one is withdrawn through pipes 134which communicate through branch pipes 135 with the passages 115 leading'to the next lower chamber 100. The lighter component of the separatedcontents of the second chamber below are transferred upwardly throughthe branch pipes 136 and the pipes 137 to couplings 138 located in thepipe 123 which leads to the next chamber above.

From the third chamber below the central part of the apparatus, theheavier separated component flows downwardly through a pipe 139 intobranch pipes 140 which communicate through the passagesll with thelowermost chamber. The lighter separated components of the contents ofthe third chamber below the central part are transferred upwardlythrough pipes 141 and 142 to couplings 143 located in the pipes 129whichcommunicate with the next chamber above.

From the bottom chamber of the apparatus the oxygen or other purified.fluid -is discharged through pipes 145, while the lighter waste portionof the fluid is withdrawn through pipes 146 and conveyed upwardlythrough pipes 147 to couplings 148 located in the pipes 135 whichcommunicate with the next chamber above.

This same method of intercommunication between the separate chambers ofthe casing is carried out in the same manner above the central part ofthe apparatus. The first chamber above the central chamber is connectedto ydischarge the heavier separated component by pipes 150 which lead tocouplings 151 connected in the pipes 121 leading to the central chamberand having nozzles located therein to create a suction by the i'low offluid into the central chamber; rlhe lighter portions separated in theiirst chamber above the central part are withdrawn upwardly throughbranch pipes 152 and pipes 153 which lead to branch pipes .154' havingcommunication with the next chamber above through the passages 115located in the Walls of that chamber.

rlhe heavier component separated in th second chamber above the centralpart is discharged through pipes 155 into couplings 156 located in theypipes 126 and having nozzles therein to create a suction in the mannerpreviously described. The lighter materials from the second chamberabove are discharged upwardly through branch pipes 158 leading through apipe 159 to branch pipes 160 which communicate with the next chamberabove.

From this third chamber above the heavier portions are dischargeddownwardly through pipes 161 and through the pipes 154 leading to thenext chamber below, while the lighter portions are discharged upwardlyto branch pipes 162, pipes 163 and branch pipes 164 into the uppermostchamber of the apparatus.

From the uppermost chamber the heavier separated materials aredischarged downwardly through pipes 166 into couplings 167 located inthe branch pipes 16.() which communicate with the regions of the mediumcentrifugal pressure in the next chamber below. The lighter separatedmaterials in the uppermost chamber, such as nitrogen and the like, ifthe apparatus be used for extracting oxygen, are discharged throughbranch pipes 169 leading from the passages 118 and communicating withdischarge pipes 170. The How of the various fluids in different parts ofthe system is regulated in this form of a paratus by means of a seriesof valves 171, w ich are located in the various pipes connecting theseveral separating chambers.

ln the formof apparatus y, illustrated in Figs. 2 and 9, as well as inthat explained with the diagrammatic representation of Fig.

l, there is a gradual iiow of the heavier materials towards the bottomof the apparatus and a gradual increase in the density of these heaviercomponents as the bottom section of the apparatus is approached, so thatthe centrifugal action of the rotating discs is supplecasmg isapproached, due to the successive action of the separating chambers inextracting the heavier components. The apparatus may be operatedcontinuously at a relatively small .cost to effect a continuousseparation of the heavier and li hter components oi. gases, liquids orother uids, and the degree oi' purification or the perfection of theseparation may be regulated as desired by increasing or decreasing thenumber of separating chambers connected in series.

-Although a4 particular form of apparatus has been shown and describedin connection with the explanation of one method of carrying out theprocess of this invention, it will be understood that both the apparatusand the process may be varied without departing romthe scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. In uid separating apparatus of the class described, a plurality ofclosed separating chambers; meansoperating in each of said chambers forseparating the heavier and lighter components of the' luid therein andcreating regions of high and low pressure therein, means for introducinga Huid into one of said chambers, and means for conveying a separatedcomponent of said fluid in that chamber to a region of medium pressurein another of said chambers. y

2. In fluid separating apparatus of the class described, a casing havinga closed separating chamber, a collecting chamber having communicationwith the outer part of said separating chamber throughout its periphery,

a rotatable member mounted in said separating chamber, means forintroducing the Huid to be separated into a region of medium centrifugalpressure in said chamber, and means for withdrawing the lighterseparated component of said iuid from the inner part of Vso mounted onsaid shaft, said disk and the walls of said chamber having registeringannular projections.

4. In Huid separating apparatus of the class described, a plurality ofclosed separating chambers, means operating in each of said chambers forseparating the heavier and lighter components of the fluid therein andcreatingy regions of high and low pressure therein, means forintroducing a fluid into the region of medium pressure in one of saidchambers, means for withdrawing the heavier separated component from aregion of higher pressure in said last mentioned chamber and conveyingit to a region of medium pressure in a succeeding chamber of the series,and means for withdrawing the lighter separated component of said fluidfrom a region of lesser pressure in said chamber in which saidseparation first takes place and returning it to a region of mediumpressure in another chamber of the series.

5. In fluid separating apparatus of the class described, a casing havinga closed sepparating chamber, a rotatable member mounted in saidchamber, a cylindrical inember forming the outer shell of said chamber,said casing having a collecting chamber on the outer side of said outershell, said cylindrical member having perforations forming acommunication between said closed separating chamber and said collectingchamber, means for introducing a fluid into said sep,- arating chamber,and means for withdrawing the heavier com onent of said fluid from saidcollecting cham er.

6. In fluid separating apparatus of the class described, a casingcomprising a series of closed separating chambers, rotatable membersmounted in said chambers to sct up a centrifugal action of the contentsthereof;

means for introducing a fluid :into the region of medium pressure in thefirst chamber of the series, means for withdrawing the heavier separatedcomponent from a region of higher pressure in each chamber of the seriesand conveying it to a region of medium pre'ssure in a succeeding chamberof the series, and means for withdrawing the lighter separated componentfrom a region of lesser pressure in each chamber of the series andreturning it to a region of medium pressure in a preceding chamber ofthe series against higher pressure therein.

7. ln fluid separating apparatus of the class described, a casingcomprising` a plurality of complementary sections, each sectioncomprising a body portion and an annular cylindrical portion projectingtransversely therefrom, means for connecting the body portion of onesection to the annular cylindrical portion of the next adjacent section,a shaft ournaled in the body portions of said sections, and rotatablemembers mounted on said shaft, each rotatable member being located in achamber formed between the body portions of adjacent sections, saidrotatable members and said body portions of said casing being providedon opposite sides thereof with annular' depressions, ywhereby saidchambers are divided into complementary parts of annular form andsubstantially oblong cross section.

8. 1n fluid separating apparatus of the class described, a casingcomprising a plurality of complementary sections, each scctioncomprising a body portion and an annular cylindrical portion projectingtransversely therefrom, and means for connecting the body portion of onesection to the annular cylindrical portion of the next adjacent section,a shaft journaled in the body portions of said sections, rotatablemembers mounted on said shaft, each rotatable member being located in achamber formed between the body portions of adjacent sections, the bodyportions of said casing having passages leading therethrough to theouter part of said casing, and means for connecting the passages leadingfrom one chamber to the passages leading from another chamber.

CHARLES E. FAVKES.

